Cernd, Any good?

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 12:24 pm

Is Cernd any good to have in you're team, i mean dousn't the shapeshifter kit stink?

HighWatcher Zubie · Post by **HighWatcher Zubie** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 12:30 pm

Since I do not have time I'll others tell you why he is/isn't good but I'll tell you that the shapeshifter kit will be upgraded in ToB.

Mr. Sprinkles · Post by **Mr. Sprinkles** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 12:33 pm

Yes, the shapeshifter kit will be upgraded: Greater Werewolf will become more powerful. As for Cernd himself, I think's he's the weakest NPC in the game. Sure, his stats skyrocket when he transforms, but he can't be a Werewolf and cast spells at the same time.

Kayless · Post by **Kayless** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 12:48 pm

Yeah, Cernd sucks ape wang!

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 1:29 pm

No, Cernd is great when you once realise that he's a druid and not a fighter (despite his werewolf form). It is correct that you cannot cast spells in werewolf form. However, neither can you fight and cast spells at the same time. Cernd needs the Bracers of Defense AC 3 and maybe a Ring of Protection. Helm of Balduran and Ring of Earth Control further lowers his AC, both in natural form and in werewolf form. Try him out, he's definately worth it.

Lykwid · Post by **Lykwid** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 1:46 pm

I personally like cernd much better than jaheira. Jaheira is a crap crap crappy fighter, and since she is duel class you dont even get to cast lvl 7 druid spells with her. Cernd on the other hand will get 7th lvl spell , also IMO cernd can fight better than jaheira when hes shapechanged.

-Lykwid . he of the crappy writeing skills,

Lykwid · Post by **Lykwid** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 1:48 pm

I forgot to mention that BG2 seems to use proximity as the sole determinent for the target of the monster, so you dont have to have cernd doing the tanking , just the dishing of damage.

-Lykwid

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 3:57 pm

I disagree with Jaheira being a crappy fighter. In my party she currently has AC-9 and with spells is formidable. As much as I liked Cernd (from the first time I met him) he has been good for a few exp with the child quest etc, but other than that....

I must admit, the first time I let him go I was disapponited to find that, for some reason, I could not get him back. I moved on without him. This time I deliberately let him go because the loss of his skills were well compensated within the rest of my party.

I liked him but soon learned how not to miss him...

GrimReaper · Post by **GrimReaper** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 5:16 pm

I'd say wait for ToB before you try Cernd. Druids are supposed to get better and right now they are really not that good at all. They're too weak and their low level cap just annoys me. I can't wait to try them out in ToB, though. Maybe you should take him if you are planning on taking your party into ToB as I believe they are changing the experience chart completely for druids and as soon as you install ToB, he should automatically level up a few levels if you are at the cap.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 10:23 pm

Likwyd writes:
I personally like cernd much better than jaheira. Jaheira is a crap crap crappy fighter, and since she is duel class you dont even get to cast lvl 7 druid spells with her.

But you'll be casting far more than 7th level Druidic spells with her once you install ToB.

Promise · Post by **Promise** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 11:07 pm

How can the greater wolfwere be upgraded? Will enemy greater wolfwere become more powerful too?

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 2:08 am

Originally posted by Promise:
How can the greater wolfwere be upgraded? Will enemy greater wolfwere become more powerful too?

Cernd can transform into a greater werewolf, whereas your ennemies sometimes are greater wolfweres. The greater werewolf will at least get a better regeneration and you will be able to switch to and forth more often (thereby casting spells and then switching back again).

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 2:11 am

Cernd is great when you once realise that he's a druid and not a fighter

But doesn't that just turn him into a less powerful version of Edwin? IMO the combat abilities are what sets Druids apart from Mages. Druid have some nice spells, but no way near as powerful as the Mage spells.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 3:36 am

Originally posted by Xyx:
But doesn't that just turn him into a less powerful version of Edwin? IMO the combat abilities are what sets Druids apart from Mages. Druid have some nice spells, but no way near as powerful as the Mage spells.

Actually, I've never heard onyone compare the Druid with the Mage before. The spells aren't even similiar, IMO.

A Druid is no fighter but, I guess, still more of a fighter than a Mage - better THAC0 and HP, larger selection of weapons, able to use better armor etc.

If you want to compare the Druid with another class, it will have to be the Cleric since they are both "subclasses" of the Priest and therefor show a lot of similiarities.

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 7:17 am

If you want to compare the Druid with another class, it will have to be the Cleric since they are both "subclasses" of the Priest and therefor show a lot of similiarities.

I find Druids fall somewhere in between Clerics and Mages, actually.

Their combat abilities are much weaker than those of Clerics. Most notable is the inability to wear good armor or shields (Jaheira remedies this by being a Fighter as well). The game also has great Cleric weapons (Flail of Ages and Crom Faeyr), but no comparably powerful Druid weapons.

This forces Druids into a role that is comparable to that of Mages: stick to the rear and cast spells.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 7:27 am

Originally posted by Xyx:
I find Druids fall somewhere in between Clerics and Mages, actually.

Their combat abilities are much weaker than those of Clerics. Most notable is the inability to wear good armor or shields (Jaheira remedies this by being a Fighter as well). The game also has great Cleric weapons (Flail of Ages and Crom Faeyr), but no comparably powerful Druid weapons.

This forces Druids into a role that is comparable to that of Mages: stick to the rear and cast spells.

I still think you're wrong:

Druids (Shapeshifters excepted, of course) can wear the best armor in the whole game, namely the Red Dragon Scale. You also have the Ankheg Plate Scale, which isn't too bad.

Druids can among other weapons wield the club Blackblood. This club has a + 3 (will hit almost everything), does acid damage (goes through certain defenses and also kills trolls) and is a blunt weapon (the best type of damage in BG2 considering resistances). Also, I believe Impaler is the weapon that does the most damage with each hit. Finally, do not forget the spell Flame Blade or the attacks while in Bear form (amongst others). For distance, you have Sling of Everard or Firetooth Dagger as well as Darts.

[ 06-17-2001: Message edited by: Astafas ]

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 10:24 am

Druids (Shapeshifters excepted, of course) can wear the best armor in the whole game, namely the Red Dragon Scale. You also have the Ankheg Plate Scale, which isn't too bad.

Good point! Didn't realize

Any good tips for shields?

do not forget the spell Flame Blade or the attacks while in Bear form

Flame Blade? Is that really any good? And I've tried the Bears with Jaheira, but she seems to give and take damage better when she's her normal self...

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 11:43 am

@Xyx:

Well, as for shield you're right, the Cleric's better. There is a Buckler + 1 to be found at Mae'var's but I don't use it. Rather put a prof in single weapon style and also be able to use two-handed weapons.

The Flame Blade is non magical but has a THAC0 bonus of + 3 even though it doens't say so. It does only 1D4 damage BUT 6-10 extra fire damage. Goodbye trolls! Also, it lasts fairly long at higher levels.

In bear form you do get a bad AC. On the other hand, I believe the attacks counts as + 3 when it comes to what you can hit and you do nice damage thanks to 18/00 strenght. Also, you get 7/2 attacks!

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 2:28 pm

Aren't cloaks and bracers still "on" in bear form? How about other items?

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sun Jun 17, 2001 2:34 pm

Originally posted by Xyx:
Aren't cloaks and bracers still "on" in bear form? How about other items?

Cloak, bracers, helmet (or ioun stone) and rings are still on and give the appropriate bonuses.